The Goldeyes continue their four-game series with the Texas AirHogs tonight in Grand Prairie.

For a second consecutive year, more than half of Texas’ active roster is comprised of members from the Chinese National Team.

Last May, the AirHogs signed off on a three-year agreement with Shougang Sports, a subsidiary of a China-based steel manufacturer, which provided the Chinese players an opportunity to develop their skills under true game conditions and against high-level competition.

Professional baseball in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan is equivalent to the highest levels of the affiliated minor leagues. Numerous players from those regions have even made successful jumps to Major League Baseball, with Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and Yu Darvish among the most prominent names.

The Chinese Baseball Association, which governs the players rostered by the AirHogs, lags behind its counterparts from the Eastern Hemisphere in terms of talent and experience level.

The special partnership has allowed the Chinese players to more accurately assess that development gap. The American Association is generally considered on par with double-A and Winnipeg’s season-opening night lineup featured eight players with triple-A or Major League experience.

There were definite growing pains in year one, many of which were expected before the 2018 season began. Texas finished last overall in the American Association standings at 25-75.

From a developmental standpoint, however, the team showed progress. The AirHogs opened the season 8-30 before posting a 17-45 record over their final 62 games, a 63-point improvement in winning percentage.

The Chinese also had several individuals hold their own against the American Association’s advanced competition.

Shortstop Yang Jin was only 19-years-old last summer and hit a respectable .220 in 40 games. The average American Association player was 26.5 years old in 2018.

To put that in perspective, the reigning MLB MVPs, Mookie Betts (Boston) and Christian Yelich (Milwaukee), were playing far below the double-A level when they were 19.

Most baseball players that age are either in college or playing for a short season affiliate. Even high-profile, first-round picks are rarely assigned above the high-A level to begin their professional careers.

Yang Jin also shined with the glove. The left-handed batting shortstop committed just two errors in 35 games at the position and finished sixth in the American Association in plays above average, a cumulative defensive metric that, by nature, typically rewards players who played the most games.

Ultimately, continuing to build size and strength might be the Chinese national team’s biggest priority.

Sheer mass is less important in baseball where body-to-body contact is minimal compared to hockey or football. However, it’s worth noting that nine of the 13 Chinese players on the AirHogs’ active roster are listed at 175 pounds or lighter, including four players in the 150s. Collectively, the Chinese players hit just two home runs for the AirHogs last season.

By comparison, the average weight of the Goldeyes’ roster is 199 pounds, and only one player checks in below 180.

The Goldeyes required extra innings to beat the AirHogs on Thursday and the home club had an opportunity to steal the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Goldeyes manager Rick Forney acknowledges the unique composition of this weekend’s opponent, but also understands the importance of respecting the AirHogs as they would any other team — especially early in the schedule when the Goldeyes themselves are trying to work into mid-season form.

“Given the type of people that we have on our team, I don’t think that we’d be anything but respectful of these guys and what they’re trying to accomplish over here,” Forney said. We’re going to give them our best game, and hopefully, they can give us theirs.”

Tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth, the Goldeyes sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs to take the lead for good. Alex Perez and Luis Touron chipped in RBI singles, while Adrian Marin added a sacrifice fly.

Winnipeg scored twice more in the eighth on a balk and an infield single from Willy Garcia.

Perez drove in the Goldeyes’ seventh run with an RBI groundout in the ninth.

Mitchell Lambson tossed six strong innings to earn the win, holding the AirHogs to one earned run on three hits.

Relievers, Jack Charleston, Mitchell Aker and Tyler Garkow each worked a scoreless frame.